Former Toronto FC fullback Criscito signs with Genoa after announcing retirement

Veteran defender Domenico Criscito, who announced his retirement from Toronto FC in mid-November, has resurfaced with his former club Genoa in Italy.

Criscito, who turns 36 on Friday, joined the MLS team in late June on a free transfer from Genoa. The Italian fullback made 16 appearances in all competitions for Toronto before announcing his retirement Nov. 15.

"Thank you very much, Toronto FC, for these six beautiful months," he said in a statement at the time.

That future is back with Genoa, which announced this week that Criscito was returning to the fold as of Jan. 2.

"Welcome back Mimmo!" Genoa said in a social media post.

"Happy to be back home," Criscito said in Italian in a social media post that showed him holding up a Genoa jersey with the No. 4 he wore there before.